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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help on reversing on a narrow country lane

82 replies

hooliodancer · 22/07/2018 11:10

Before I start, I accept the "you shouldn't be on the road' responses which are inevitable on driving threads. But I am fine and confident on the road, been driving long distances for years, just worried about this.

I need to travel for 2 miles along a single lane road with very rare passing places. Partner has gone to work, I have just decided to do this journey and need some reversing tips.

I was going to take some special reversing lessons as I will do this journey regularly in a few months.But I really need to do it today, and feel I am being pathetic avoiding it.

Apart from reverse parking I have only once in 15 years of driving had to reverse a long distance. It has just never happened!

So please can I have some technical tips? Thanks.

OP posts:
offupop · 22/07/2018 13:32

100% the same as @lucisky

If I use my mirrors I have to keep going forward and back to correct.
I put one hand on the passenger head rest, swing round and look out the back window, one hand on the steering wheel at the top, and I can reverse really fast and accurately! My dad always did it this way too.

OneThingAndThenTheNext · 22/07/2018 13:36

How did it go OP? I’m sure you were fine Flowers

WonkyWay · 22/07/2018 14:05

I can reverse down narrow bendy country lanes almost as fast as I drive forwards😂. It's one of my talents!

I never use my mirrors and I don't use my reverse view camera. I put my left arm on the back of the passenger seat (I don't know why but it helps!) and I turn my head right around so I can clearly see behind me. Then I drive at whatever speed is sensible. I look along the road to where I want to be and aim for it.

The more you do it the easier it is. I love showing of my reversing skills. 😁😁

If you can't reverse safely then I don't think you should drive on narrow country lanes. You can't guarantee that the other driver can reverse. I've had to get out the car and reverse other people's cars for them in the past.

The other day I came up to a police car who should have reversed as they were much closer to a reversing spot then me however they just sat in the car in the middle of the road so I reversed until I got to a point where they could go past. I don't know why they wouldn't reverse as it was obvious it would have been easier for them to do it than me. I didn't mind but I was curious why a police car driver couldn't or wouldn't reverse? Surely they are highly trained??????

WonkyWay · 22/07/2018 14:08

Also, if you are driving around corners and can't see around them then you have to go VERY slowly! Some drivers don't seem to understand this so you have to go even slower to compensate for their idiocy.

Original poster
hooliodancer · 22/07/2018 23:50

Well, I did it! I met two cars, but both times I opposite a passing place for them. So I waited, and they pulled into the passing place.

I was lucky! But I wouldn't even have attempted it without all your advice. Really really grateful, thanks all of you!

OP posts:
mateysmum · 23/07/2018 06:09

Well done! Every time you do it, it will get easier. Once it is easy then the challenge is to retain concentration to keep yourself safe.

drearydeardre · 23/07/2018 06:16

wonky
If you can't reverse safely then I don't think you should drive on narrow country lanes. You can't guarantee that the other driver can reverse. I've had to get out the car and reverse other people's cars for them in the past.
I am sure the OP as well as most of us can reverse safely - so it is a bit presumptuous to say we should not drive on narrow lanes
I am sure the people who you patronised by driving their car for them appreciated it Hmm
Op - you will be fine unless you meet someone who is so impatient that your reversing slowly = cannot reverse and they commandeer your car Shock

Pengggwn · 23/07/2018 06:19

If you get someone forcing you to reverse when, really, it should be them because they were careering down the road, go so slowly they will wish they hadn't got out of bed!

Pengggwn · 23/07/2018 06:19

But you did it! Well done!

Booklover18 · 23/07/2018 06:23

Excellent advice by furx- obviously a good driver there, I would do that - good luck!!

Booklover18 · 23/07/2018 06:24

Oh sorry! Just seen you did it 😀 well done, confidence is half the battle 👍

speakout · 23/07/2018 06:29

I lived in a village with such roads al around for 15 years.

I can't remember ever having to reverse.

kudut · 23/07/2018 06:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 23/07/2018 07:27

Well done OP, it just gets easier from here on in. Practice makes perfect, it’s about finding a method you’re comfortable with.

It really is vital to be able to reverse if you are driving on single track roads. What if you meet a caravan, or tractor & trailer, or a queue of cars coming the other way? You can’t expect them to reverse just because you can’t drive well enough. It’s not a hard skill, but it’s an essential one.

scaryteacher · 23/07/2018 11:43

It's bloody hard when it's a bus coming at you and it won't slow down, and there is also a load of cars behind you.

EggysMom · 23/07/2018 18:05

I used to have to reverse out of the way of 44t timber trucks ... and I managed to put the car in a ditch once when I was a novice.

Confusedbeetle · 23/07/2018 18:13

Some good advice already is given. You really need to master this. I live in a similar lane and there are some residents who can't do it and simply won't, not popular. I know you need to do it now, but it is better to learn without the stress. Go to a quiet car park and practise practise practise.
get someone to put you a few plastic cones out. I had the same problem learning how to reverse a trailer and it is the only way, just keep at it until you are confident. It might be worth paying an instructor for a lesson. Take your time and don't feel hassled. Ignore the car coming towards you

LadyRussell · 23/07/2018 18:16

Ooh I don’t know actually- I grew up on a farm so reversing is second nature to me.

WonkyWay · 23/07/2018 21:04

DrearyDreay

Your post really doesn't make sense. I said that people shouldn't relaunch drive on narrow country lanes if they can't reverse safely. I obviously wasn't including people such as yourself who can reverse safely. Did you misread my post.

I'm not sure where you got the idea that I 'commanded' someone's car and patronized them while I was doing it. You are inventing details that aren't true. I helped someone out when they couldn't reverse and were blocking the road. They were grateful as was the driver of the lorry coming in the opposite direction. I was my usual friendly charming self and made sure they didn't feel embarrassed.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 23/07/2018 21:17

Well done OP. Definitely practise in a quiet spot as mentioned above. I was rubbish at reversing until we had a driveway I had to reverse out of. Having to do it regularly made me much more confident (I'm not sure I actually got better as I could do it anyway, but I was simply confident about just doing it without thinking).

raindropsandsunshine · 23/07/2018 22:19

Good stuff, well done.

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 23/07/2018 22:37

Just drive really fast along the narrow road, that way you won't be on the road for as long so it reduces the chance of meeting anything!

MyNameIsArthur · 23/07/2018 22:44

Order yourself some magnetic L plates from Amazon. Only cost about £3 for two. Stick them on the car for this journey and hopefully other cars will be more understanding and will reverse instead of you having to

Bramble71 · 23/07/2018 23:02

Well done, OP!

I'm so glad you started this thread. I have lived on a very narrow country lane for a couple of years but have always been terrible at reversing. Reading the many comments here, I now realise that I have been trying to reverse using my rear view mirror, and sometimes the reversing camera. I'm now going to ask my hubby to give me a few lessons using the wing mirrors technique and see if it helps.

Thanks also to everyone who has contributed advice!

Sitranced · 23/07/2018 23:30

I'd attempt to turn in a passing place to drive out forwards unless it was a long estate vehicle.